Reviews by kzoobrew:

Thanks to Frank for a couple pours from the growler at the La Roja release.

Body is black and opaque. The body is visibly viscous. Small mocha colored head set atop. The growler was no freshly crack, no doubt diminishing the head potential. Limited lacing left behind.

The aroma is wonderful, top notch without doubt. Roasted, sweet and bourbon aromas are perfectly layered. Dark malt and coffee scents contrast sweeter chocolate and vanilla aroma. The bourbon is equally present and wonderfully integrated, really ties the dark and light aromas together.

The flavor displays the same level of integration noted in the nose. Big chocolate, java and molasses flavors lay heavy on the tongue. Sweeter caramel and vanilla flavors fill in and contrast behind. The bourbon flavor is once again integrated to perfection . The flavor is prominent though not heat and booziness is very much subdued.

Full bodied stout, carbonation is lower and appropriate. Very creamy, silky texture on the tongue. Very long, enjoyable finish.

Czar Jack was certainly a surprise. I was not expecting to try it, I expected it to be good, did not expect it to be this good. Czar Jack is simply outstanding. Flavor is beautifully layered. tremendously drinkable beer.

T: took me nearly an hour to finish my 10oz pour as i tried to savor every lingering flavor of oak, chocolate, malts, vanilla, and jack daniels bourbon whisky. delicious.

MF/D: extremely smooth at first, though as it warmed, it tended to become a little boozy, but the jack daniels heat was not minded, just noticable. certainly was a kick in the pants as this one beer kept me buzzing for the better part of an hour. simple excellent.

Taste: Very roasty with a good amount of whiskey flavor. Big taste of dark roasted malts with notes of chocolate, caramel, molasses, whiskey, vanilla, oak, anise, brown sugar, milk, and nuts. Also a subtle presence of dark fruit in the background with some raisin. Some earthy hops towards the finish. The dark malts and whiskey play off each other well with neither dominating. Sweet but the whiskey helps keep it in check.

Mouthfeel: Full bodied with a moderate level of carbonation. Creamy and moderately syrupy and sticky. Very robust. Alcohol heat is hidden very well.

Overall: A great barrel aged Russian Imperial Stout. Loaded with dark flavor and the barrel adds a nice kick.

Thanks to erick for sharing his growler at the June Philly Suburbs BA meet-up.

A-Dark black with brown highlights, off white head

S-Like crushed apples, figs and a little chocolate, very little bourbon aroma at all. I think that the age of this growler resulted in oxidation of the beer leading to these crushed fruit/sherry like aromas

T-very smooth with low sweetness. Dry finish before the oaky barrel tannins. The chocolate and licorice flavors are well balances if a bit muted. Not the big aggressive, sweet, over-the-top beer I was expecting, but rather refined. The Jack Daniels definitely takes a back seat to the beer.

M-great creamy carbonation, ever after almost four months since it was filled

O-very good, but a bit shy of great.

I think this beer is another example of hype exceeding the results, although it was great to try.

On tap at the brewpub, the last growler went to tavernjef, who had an event...bourbon barrel aged...

Forbidding dark black appearance, scant medium brown head of bigger bubbles...leaves sparse laces, thick strings. Complex aroma, sweet, just slightly smokey, the most expression of any bourbon-like characters in the beer for me. Full mouthfeel and an agreeable medium carbonation. Flavor is luxurious, heavily dark chocolate, layered and grainy in the manner of quality brands. Little fruitiness and actually less complexity than the normal Oatmeal Stout which has an extra coffee oiliness to make things interesting. Finishes as it begins, satisfying with some alcohol to notice. A nice beer, frankly could be more complex to me, some similarities in profile to Brooklyn Black Chocolate.

Mike Hoops gave me a sample of non barrel-aged Czar in October of 2005, aside from a somewhat thinner mouthfeel, I prefer it, better bitter qualities...

I can't believe how much vanilla comes to the forefront in the nose. Decadent, dark chocolate and the slightest hint of hops.

Sweet, lucious taste! More vanilla, more chocolate and subtle notes from the barrel... some oak, but mostly more chocolate.

Medium body and perfect carbonation. This is VERY similar to Bell's Black Note with just a hair less complexity. I have a feeling you'd be feeling this if you had a snifter or two... but 4-5 oz of this was good for me. Nah, I wish I had more. Outstanding stuff from MTH!

Pours black with a half-finger tan head. The head recedes into a wispy layer on top leaving decent lacing.

Smells of smooth roasted malts and dark chocolate buttressed by good amounts of vanilla from the barrel. Also present are mild amounts of dark fruits.

Tastes similar to how it smells. Deep roasted malt and dark chocolate flavors kick things off and are joined quickly by very mild amounts of dark fruits. Midway through the sip the booziness and vanilla impressions from the barrel kick in and carry through to a mildly bitter ending.

Mouthfeel is very good. It's got a smooth thickness with grainy carbonation.

Drinkability is also very good. I finished my glass quickly and could easily have another.

Overall this beer was very good however it fell just short of great. The flavors were all there, they just didn't meld as well as I'd hoped. Still, I'm picking nits as this is a beer that's well worth a shot.

Pours a viscous pitch black with a .25 finger dark mocha head that dissipates quickly. Big, oily and sticky legs that clings heavily to the glass. Lacing is spotty and mineral. As expected due to the style and serving vessel.

Nose is chocolate, fudge, sweet soy sauce, molasses, roasted malt, toasted almonds and brownie. Booziness is deep but well hidden. Not the most aromatic but the flavors are well integrated.

Opens chocolate and sweet soy sauce. Roast and molasses sweetness in the middle with layers of fudge and more chocolate. Dark fruit and booziness sneak in at the end right before a chocolate finish. Aftertaste is booze, roast, and more dark fruit and chocolate sweetness. Really good.

Medium to full bodied with low carbonation. Oily, slick, and smooth in the mouth and warm going down. Messy finish with a lingering, sticky aftertaste. Perfect for what it is. I actually like the slightly thinner body here.

A hyped brew that I have to say really lives up to the billing. The barrel presence is subtle, showcasing the complex and well integrated and complementary flavors. Feel is just right and the smell and look fit the style well. Definitely worth a try and another winner from Town Hall.